Rack,

I've hunted Camp Ripley a bunch of times. I can tell you it was better in the past than it is now. The first time I was in there was in '87 and I saw 50 deer in 2 days and saw 10 shooter bucks. The last time I was there I had some Yahoo follow me into the woods, camp 80 yards away from me and then to top it off, took a 90 yard potshot with a crossbow at a great buck that was coming up the trail toward me. He never even got down to see if he hit it. Later that day, he followed me to a different place, walked in right behind me and set up 100 yards away.

This is not the norm but can happen and I don't mean to discourage you, just prepare you for what could happen. Camp will give up some good bucks every year, I have seen a few that were B&C class. Treestand hunting is the normal method of hunting and can actually be better in places that have some hunter activity to move the deer. Stay in your stand as late in the mornings as possible and get out as early as possible in the afternoon to catch deer moved by hunters coming and going. There will be quite a few hunters and the morning exodus into camp can be a tough one as it is a race to the better areas (there is a speed limit that is enforced by the workers in camp) and the roads are not marked very well if at all in some places.

Check these out for a little more info.
http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/TF/re...GES=4&state=Mn

http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/TF/re...ES=18&state=Mn

Hope this helps, email me if you want any more info, I'll help you if I can.

MN_BOWHUNTER